Efficient addition of alcohols, amines and phenol to unactivated alkenes by AuIII or PdII stabilized by CuCl2

The nucleophilic addition of alcohols, amines and phenol to unactivated alkenes catalyzed by cationic gold and palladium becomes limited due to the fast reduction into metallic gold under reaction conditions. The presence of CuCl2 retards the reduction of Au(III) and Pd", strongly increasing the turnover number of gold and palladium catalysts. It is shown that new Au(III)-CuCl2 and Pd(II)-CuCl2 catalysts are active and selective for the nucleophilic addition of alcohols, amines and phenol to unactivated alkenes.